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Chilliwack students help build a school in Kenya

Mt. Slesse middle school students spent 11 days helping an impoverished community in Kenya build a new school.


A group of Chilliwack students from Mt. Slesse middle school experienced Kenya to the fullest this March.

A team of 18 students and teacher chaperones spent 11 days in Maasai Mara, Kenya helping an impoverished community build a new school through the Me to We program.

For teacher Sandi Rae, it was one of the most rewarding experiences she's had as a teacher.

"This trip was the most meaningful activity I have ever done and I have done so many different trips and conferences with my students over the years," she said.

"It was amazing to see what Free the Children has been able to build in the 10 years [it's] been in Kenya."

This was the first trip of its kind for Chilliwack school district, sending students to a third-world country. Mt. Slesse hopes it won't be the last.

The school has already submitted a proposal for a follow-up Me to We trip for 2016. The destination: Nicaragua.

"It is the country with the most need," said Rae. "It will be interesting to see a country in the infancy of the adopt a village model."

Me to We is an organization, founded by Canadian brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger, that works to empower change, helping people make a direct, positive social and or environmental impact on the world. Me to We is under the umbrella of Free The Children that hosts the annual We Day event in Vancouver.